‘X Factor Australia’ 2016 Top 5 live recap: Vlado Saric and Isaiah Firebrace shine with their killer tracks and curveballs; judges clash over Beatz [VIDEOS]

“X Factor Australia” 2016 returned for another live episode on Sunday, wherein the top five found themselves fighting for a spot in the competition twice.

Each finalist performed two times for the night – a killer track that played to their strengths and a curveball, a surprising song that showed how versatile they are. Judges Guy Sebastian, Adam Lambert and Mel B appreciated getting back the power to choose their singers’ songs. Iggy Azalea, on the other hand, has no more contestants to mentor.

Instead, Iggy focused on savouring having the sweet vote and critiquing the other judges’ singers. She even got into an argument with Mel after Beatz’s performance of “Walk This Way” by Run DMC for their curveball song. Iggy reckoned it wasn’t much of a curveball and wished the girls stripped it down and gave a different kind of energy. Mel also didn’t see eye to eye with Guy, after he blames her for seeing the same kind of production from the girl group again.

Beatz, however, received better reviews in their earlier performance of their killer track, “ Move” by Little Mix. Apart from getting a standing ovation from their mentor, Mel, Guy said they could change the fact that a group has never won “X Factor Australia.” Iggy would have wanted to have the bragging rights with her group Aya, but they were sent home after receiving the fewest votes.

[READ: “ Aya bows down in an emotional exit; fiercest rival Beatz dominates the final showdown”]

Mel’s other singer from the Underdogs category, Vlado Saric, was also considered a strong performer on Sunday’s episode. Apart from being the most streamed contestant on Spotify, Vlado won the hearts of the judges with his curveball song “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston and “Perfect Strangers” by Jonas Blue. Guy and Mel stand up for his first song, and Adam commented that it was Vlado’s performance, in terms of his vocals. Adam also can’t find something to criticise on Vlado’s second song.

Adam may be feeling threatened by Vlado, since he might be the strongest contender of Isaiah Firebrace. Dubbed as the soul assassin, Isaiah impressed the judges with his rendition of “A Change is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke, which Adam also sang in “American Idol.” All four judges gave him a standing ovation, with Isaiah’s mentor feeling so proud. Isaiah’s earlier performance of “ FourFiveSeconds” by Kanye West, Rihanna, and Paul McCartney as his curveball song earned mixed reactions. While Guy and Mel weren’t still convinced about Isaiah, Iggy said that he did the first song justice. Adam, who stood for Isaiah, said that his voice is made for radio.

The two other singers, Amalia Foy from Adam’s Under 22s and Davey Woder from Guy’s Over 22s, received mixed reactions for their performances. Amalia sang “ Brave” by Sara Bareilles as her killer track and “Faded” by Alan Walker as her curveball song. Davey, on the other hand, performed “Fortunate Son” by Creedence Clearwater Revival as his killer track and “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson for his curveball song.


Source: YouTube/The X Factor Australia


Source: YouTube/The X Factor Australia

On Monday, the fate of the top five “X Factor Australia” 2016 contestants will be determined in a star-studded live episode. British pop group Little Mix, who won “X Factor UK” back in 2011, will grace the stage with their latest smash hit, “Shout Out To My Ex,” which is part of their new album, “Glory Days.” Australian duo The Veronicas will also set the stage on fire, as well as “X Factor Australia” former winners Cyrus and Samantha Jade.

[READ: “A week before dropping ‘Glory Days’, Little Mix performs live on semi-final week”]

Stay tuned for more "X Factor Australia" 2016 spoilers. Find out what happens on the “X Factor Australia" live decider this Monday at 7:30 pm on Channel Seven.